Today, the Nationals brought back Sean Burnett into their organization in a trade with the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.
With Sammy Solis on the disabled list since Wednesday because of shoulder inflammation, the Washington Nationals are down to one left-handed reliever in their Major League bullpen (Oliver Perez). Today, they brought back someone who can help their bullpen when the rosters expand to 40 players on September 1.
In a trade with the Minnesota Twins, the Nationals brought back Sean Burnett in exchange for cash considerations. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish was the first to report on the acquisition. Burnett is not with the Major League club today in Atlanta. Instead, he will be at triple-A Syracuse:
JUST ANNOUNCED! The @Nationals have acquired LHP Sean Burnett from the Twins for cash considerations. He will join the Chiefs today!
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) August 19, 2016
Burnett was with the Nationals this spring in Viera and put up some good numbers. In nine appearances (8.2 innings), the 33-year-old left-hander didn’t give up a run, struck out seven, and walked one. But, he didn’t make the final roster and was eventually released from his minor league deal.
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This season, Burnett has been with three organizations (Dodgers, Braves, and Twins) at their triple-A affiliates. Over the course of 42 appearances, Burnett has a 1.91 ERA and has 28 strikeouts to 14 walks in 42.1 innings. At Rochester (Twins triple-A affiliate), left-handed hitters were only batting .150 against Burnett. Plus, he had a 1.59 ERA and only gave up one home run over his final 13 appearances.
If Burnett can succeed in Syracuse, I like this move for the Nationals in adding more left-handed reliever depth to their roster. Right now, the Nats only have one other healthy left-handed reliever in the minors on their 40-man roster besides Perez (Matt Grace).
Even though the Nationals went out and got a great closer in Mark Melancon at the trade deadline and added Koda Glover when Solis went on the DL, they needed more left-handed relievers. Right now, Perez has been struggling since the All-Star Break (7.20 ERA in 15 games) and he has a road ERA of 10.38 in 24 games (2.61 home ERA in 28 games).
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While Burnett hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since he was with the Angels since 2014, he pitched in the Washington Nationals bullpen from 2009-2012. During those four seasons, Burnett had a 2.81 ERA in 45 appearances.
Yes, Burnett isn’t going to strike out many hitters as evident by his six strikeouts per nine innings at triple-A this year. However, Burnett is a good left-handed reliever that could help the Nationals in September if they decide to call him up once the rosters expand.